Calling all Disers with Plantar Faciitis, heel spurs, etc

[pixistix]

I'm going back for bone scans this week. Foot and ankle specialist thinks I have a refracture. Stress fracture discovered in Oct. and was in a boot for 5 weeks. Could take off to shower, sleep and take aquatics class or use eliptical machine at the gym. Maybe it never really healed or maybe osteoporosis. Dexa bone scan tomorrow will determine bone density and phase 3 bone scan Friday will tell if it's a refracture. If it is a refracture I have no idea what could have caused it. And I hated that boot! But I'll deal with it to get my foot in shape for Disney in August.
Just tired of this since the whole foot pain thing has been almost 2 years now!

 

[4tees]

I was just recently diagnosed with PF. My doctor gave me 2 injections and in about a week I was feeling much better. I also have custom orthotics. I was feeling so good that one day I went for a 2 hour walk and then wore heels out to dinner – without wearing the orthotics and now I can barely walk. One of the reasons I think I am healing so slowly is because I teach Kindergarten and I’m on my feet all day.

Two days ago I received another injection but I am still in pain.

My doctor is concerned about all the walking and standing on line and wrote me a prescription explaining his concerns. I am not trying to “beat the system” – but I am wondering if I can somehow wait for my daughter to go through the line and meet up with her at the front. Does anyone know if this is a possibility?

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I was just recently diagnosed with PF. My doctor gave me 2 injections and in about a week I was feeling much better. I also have custom orthotics. I was feeling so good that one day I went for a 2 hour walk and then wore heels out to dinner – without wearing the orthotics and now I can barely walk. One of the reasons I think I am healing so slowly is because I teach Kindergarten and I’m on my feet all day.

Two days ago I received another injection but I am still in pain.

My doctor is concerned about all the walking and standing on line and wrote me a prescription explaining his concerns. I am not trying to “beat the system” – but I am wondering if I can somehow wait for my daughter to go through the line and meet up with her at the front. Does anyone know if this is a possibility?

Hi and to DisBoards and disABILITIES!

It does not matter what your doctor will write; the people at Guest Relations are not allowed to ask for a doctor's note, and if you provide one you will get the normal and official mobility/stamina response of the suggestion that you rent a wheelchair or ECV.

Most of the queues do not have a separate waiting area, and some, such as for Soarin' and the Safari have lines over 1/4 mile long from entry to load. Distance is a "way of life" at WDW; one around the World Showcase Lagoon Promenade is actually about 1½ miles. Most people tend to walk 8-12 miles per day at WDW.

I would suggest you click on where it says "disABILTIES" at the top of this page it will take you to the Index. One of the top items is the "disABILTIES FAQ" which will gives lots of useful information. Post #2 deals with mobility/stamina and Post #6 discusses the Guest Assistance Card. I would really help to familiarize yourself with these two posts.

Or, if you want an easier route to the FAQs, click on the link in my signature.

 

[barrysprot36]

My husband has this and he finally changed to a new doctor with a more aggressive approach...physical therapy 2 xs a week plus some type of sonar treament on his feet made all the difference...good luck...I know it must be super painful.

I had extremely painful PF in both feet for years before I decided to seek help. I was given ultra-sound therapy on both feet plus the exercises others have mentioned and wearing Crocs/Fit Flops. I have now been clear of pain for over two years but still occasionally do the exercises.

Caron

 

[billwendy]

I have PF and a heel spur tried all kinds of different things tried crocs and they are the best thing ever for me. Most other people with PF don't seem to agree so I think it's different things work for different people

I DO agree - Crocs work the best for me. I find that the Off Roads for a clog and the Scutes for a flip flop work the best for me - they are supportive yet cushiony. The plain ol beaches version does NOT work for me. I just got a new pair of the Mickey Crocbands at WDW - we will see - so far so good with them.

I did go to a podiatrist and he recommended the stretches and the frozen water bottle thing, but also prescribed me Etodolac to help ease the inflamation and the pain - it really really helped. I also learned from my PT friends how to tape the bottom of my foot with athletic tape - it made all the difference in the world!!!

 

[SueM in MN]

Hi and to DisBoards and disABILITIES!

It does not matter what your doctor will write; the people at Guest Relations are not allowed to ask for a doctor's note, and if you provide one you will get the normal and official mobility/stamina response of the suggestion that you rent a wheelchair or ECV.

Most of the queues do not have a separate waiting area, and some, such as for Soarin' and the Safari have lines over 1/4 mile long from entry to load. Distance is a "way of life" at WDW; one around the World Showcase Lagoon Promenade is actually about 1½ miles. Most people tend to walk 8-12 miles per day at WDW.

I would suggest you click on where it says "disABILTIES" at the top of this page it will take you to the Index. One of the top items is the "disABILTIES FAQ" which will gives lots of useful information. Post #2 deals with mobility/stamina and Post #6 discusses the Guest Assistance Card. I would really help to familiarize yourself with these two posts.

Or, if you want an easier route to the FAQs, click on the link in my signature.

Agreeing with Cheshire Figment.

Even if you are using a Guest Assistance Card, it will not shorten the distance you walk - even in lines.

THere are also a lot of attraction where everyone stands and waits for a period of time. Many of them are shows, where guests wait in a preshow or gathering area to enter the theater when the group before them leaves. A Guest Assistance Card will not do anything for those waits and most of those areas do not have a place to sit unless you bring one with you - like a wheelchair or ECV.

 

[Michele]

I also learned from my PT friends how to tape the bottom of my foot with athletic tape - it made all the difference in the world!!!

Agree!!! My chiropractor recommended this and it works wonders.

 

[ShhhQ]

I too have PF in both of my feet... have been in pain for about 15 years... Diagnosed with PF and heel spurs about 3 1/2 years ago.

Dr. had custom orthotics made, did the cortizone shots, anti-inflamatorries, pt, and night splints... no chage in the condition.

Finally, he told me... I either get the heel spurs removed or live with the pain. So I opted for the surgery... big mistake... no change in the foot pain, now I have nerve damage where the insision was made.

If you find a shoe that helps, more power to you... nothing seems to help with me... but then again, my arches have dropped and any arch in a shoe hurts. So I don't know if I can be of any help in that area.

However, I highly recommend (as others have) to rent an ECV. I was leary of doing so for our 1st trip, but it was just 7 months after my surgery and although I work on my feet 8 hours a day and am accustomed to the pain (my constant companion) I knew it would be too hard to walk all over WDW. I am glad I did. Last year, our funds prevented us from a trip to Disney and we took a one day trip to a local amusement park. I decided to walk it... after 4-5 hours on my feet, I was about done for. I am usually one to stay till closing or at least near, but I was ready to leave by 6pm.

WDW will not be as much fun if you are in constant pain.... rent an ECV as a preventive measure!

 

[mkymouse4ever]

I have had PF for 18 years. I work as a nurse, so am on my feet on concrete floors for hours. Have been through the PT, orthotic's, exercises, different shoes. . . . . But, wanted to warn people, here. Do not underestimate working on this problem. Even as a nurse, I was not aware that your foot could rupture. [if you try to search this, you can barely find it on the internet, I tried many times] This in fact occurred to me while walking to my car after work one day. I was proficent at stretching it out, and relegiously wore good support shoes with my [made for my foot] orthotic, did oral steroids as well as shots to foot. What this means is a massive tearing of the PF. Or the "soft tissue" of your foot. As bad as this sounds that is not the bad part. After it rips > it coils up in your heel. So I feel like I have a golf ball in my right heel. Move up to an orthopedic surgeon from my podiatrist with this occurance. It is 2 years later, and not a step goes by I am not aware of this. We are putting off surgery, cause not sure if it will really help. Have done the "boot" for 12 weeks. Which I could not work for. Tried the boot and ECV at wdw. The evc is very helpful but I found it hard to get around in crowds, and uncomfortable to operate in crowds.
But, I too found MBT's. about 2 year ago. I own several pairs now, and have done the sketcher's, and easy spirit models too. The mbt's weigh about 1.5 lbs each. So your legs do tire easy. But, they are wonderful. I can wear the other sketcher & easy spirit models off and on, but if it is increasing in pain > back to mbt. I even found a pair of rocket dog flip flops that I can wear when my foot is not too bad.
This is an up and down condition, and my left foot still has the PF. So, I still have that issue as well. Do not take it lightly. It can absolutely get worse. As bad as your heel hurts now, it can get worse. So just wanted to warn people & make sure you deal with this now. Seriously.
Find what works for you and be deligent. Good luck, and try to enjoy WDW, as best you can.

 

[brighteyes]

I am so glad to see this thread....just post on the DISUnplugged board with a question about foot pain and someone directed me to this board.

I am sufffering from plantar fasciitis in both feet. Also Tarsal Tunnel....anyone else have this?

I've been in pretty bad pain since October. Started with a podiatrist, now with a chiropractor getting therapy twice a week, custom orthotics just came in last Tuesday. I went to get new shoes after the orthotics came in.....got the Brooks Ariel....Sunday... wore them for a few hours and the pain that night was about the worst ever. What does that mean, I see they are recommended highly? Switched back to my Asics today and feeling much better.

I'm just hoping to hear that there is hope that this pain might someday go away, cuz right now I can't foresee that. And I have a trip to WDW coming up, hoping to get around without an ECV.

Don't give up. just wear your orthodics a few hours a day MAX in the beginning, they take your foot getting used to them. You will get used to them. And they do help. Now, I am used to them and don't have pain. I had horrible pain when I first wore mine but got used to them. Now if I wear flip flops for five minutes I have pain.

Good luck and enjoy your trip.

 

[brighteyes]

I have PF too, and I have been missing my flip flops soooo bad. I was recently in a Walking Company shoe store. The clerk told me about Zealand flip flops. I bought a pair and they have been good so far. They have a stiff sole and a big arch support! I"m so excited to be able to have flip flops again!

Thanks I will try to find them here in Canada. MY first visit I wore Teva Mush flip flops, they have a really thick cushioned foam bottom. They were comfy and form to your feet. However, by the end of the trip I had squished that 1 1/2 inch foam to about less than 1/4 of an inch at the balls and heels of my feet and the middle was formed to my arch. It was quite funny to see how "formed" my flip flops had become. I showed them to my physiotherapist and he threw them away lol

 

[brighteyes]

I have a question for you all. Do any of you have pain in the TOPS of your feet, like on the part between the front of your ankle and your toes. If I am on my feet to long, this part of my foot hurts as well. It feels like it is the tendons in the top of my foot that hurt.

Just curious if this is related to PF or something totally different.

 

[Michele]

I have a question for you all. Do any of you have pain in the TOPS of your feet, like on the part between the front of your ankle and your toes. If I am on my feet to long, this part of my foot hurts as well. It feels like it is the tendons in the top of my foot that hurt.

Just curious if this is related to PF or something totally different.

I sometimes have pain in the top of my left foot ( the one that the PF is worst).

It runs from my ankle to my toes, but only along the outside of my foot. I assumed this was probably because of me walking differently to compensate for the pain.

 

[mastersd]

I had terrible plantar fascitis. I am a nurse and I work 12 h shifts. The best shoe for me is one I can't wear to work, Fit Flops. They are the only shoes that gave me relief. I bought 3 different pairs of custom orthotics 500.00 each!! Finn Comfort shoes for work. Cortisone injections. Podiatrist appointment. The best thing by far is my fit flops. I just bought some easy ups. I also had a manual release of the fascia. That procedure was the worst pain ever. I have had 3 babies without any medication and this was worse. I have been on arthotec for 11 months. Good luck! Try fit flops.
Deanna

 

[billwendy]

They had both fit flops and crocs and the POP giftshop!!!!

 

[LeesyUD]

I have a question for you all. Do any of you have pain in the TOPS of your feet, like on the part between the front of your ankle and your toes. If I am on my feet to long, this part of my foot hurts as well. It feels like it is the tendons in the top of my foot that hurt.

Just curious if this is related to PF or something totally different.

I was just diagnosed with PF and got the cortisone shot....doing stretching, icing, and arch supports but now i am having that same pain in the top/side of my foot. I can notice visible swelling at times and also at times it feels like I have a golf ball in the bottom of my foot. I am going back to the podiatrist next week for a follow up so I'll see what he says.

I have an upcoming trip in December to WDW and I am really concerned about all the walking w/ PF. My feet are flat and I have fallen arches. In addition I am very overweight. I am trying to lose weight but of course now I have this preventing me from exercising as much as I can. I've lost 10 lbs so far and am really trying to get in great shape for Dec trip. However, I am concerned on how to handle the parks if I am still having problems with my feet. Last trip I had to leave the parks several times bc of horrific and unbearable feet pain & that was w/out having PF and at a lighter weight.

If it comes down to it I will consider renting an ECV or wheelchair but too be honest I am insecure about my weight and health (especially bc I am only 29) that I am afraid people will think I am on there bc I am lazy which wouldn't be the case. It is embarrassing to admit that I worry about that but to be honest I also suffer from a form of bipolar disorder so at times I have severe anxiety and insecurity about certain things.

I'm really glad this thread was started...its really helpful and comforting too

 

[lovetoscrap]

I went and tried on Fit Flops today and they seemed pretty nice, but the price was Especially since I just spent a fortune on Shape Ups. But I wanted something for summer wear and my Crocs have been very uncomfortable lately.

So I found the Champion version of Fit Flops at Payless and they felt just the same at less than half the cost. At least I prefer to try them out for a while at only $24 vs. $60! So far they are feeling okay for the bottom of my feet/heel. I aggravated things the other day so it has been a pretty painful week in general so hard to get a true idea. The only problem that I am having is that I haven't worn flip flops it at least 5 years or more-- so having that thing between my toes is painful! I know that it will take some getting used to. I may need to get some moleskin to help out for a few days.


LeesyUD While I don't have a big issue with how or what others may be thinking about me it does happen to all of us sometimes. But I try to remember two things:

1. I am never ever going to see any of these people again so I really don't care what they think. They don't know me, they don't know my needs and conditions but I do and the people that I do care about do and that is all that matters.

2. My goal in life to try to always affect the lives of others in a positive way. If them laughing and talking about me makes them happy, then I guess I have achieved my goal. (and we all know about Karma. . . )


Truly, I think that we see the world through the filter that we choose to put on. I have read so many stories from people that experienced numerous bad looks/comments/stares while using an ECV where ever, but yet I have never experienced the same thing. I think that we often think that people are watching or judging us when the reality is that they haven't even noticed us. I feel the same way about wearing my bathing suit in public, using my ECV, walking with my cane, or singing while going down Main Street! Everyone at Disney especially is focused on their own Magic, their own family , their own plans and just really aren't looking around to see who may be using an ECV. Now if was wearing a string bikini at the water park then they would notice , if I was running into people, honking a horn and screaming at them to move then I would be noticed and talked about, and I would deserve it!

I also counter the negative with the positive. I actually do get lots of stares, comments and laughs while out any where on my ECV-- because I have decorated in such a great way it makes people smile. You can bling out a rental scooter-- brings something to pin or put on the back of the seat like a fun sign or a tshirt with a fun saying or a Princess Pillowcase. (I had a sign about the DIS made on to a pillowcase on mine when I rented) Bring some ribbons and streamers to decorate the basket-- the light up Mickey Ears Headband makes a great basket decoration and helps you to be seen at night. Put glow sticks on it at night (I actually have light up thingies on my wheels). And I can never stress enough the empowering nature of wearing a tiara-- you have to hold your head high and know your inner and outer beauty when you have a sparkling crown on your head-- either bought at home or at WDW.

Of course I get many kids that love my scooter and point or comment and I always give them a smile or a wave or chat if it is appropriate, and usually end up chatting with the grown ups too. And when asked--because many kids do-- I just explain that my feet don't work right and so I can't walk like they can.

But I do admit that I have one button that pushes me to -- When someone tells me how lucky I am to be able to sit all day. Those words-- that I am LUCKY to have to use a scooter are like nails on a chalkboard to me. I know what they mean, I know they don't think about what they said but that is the one phrase that reminds me of how unlucky I really am, how terribly hard the last few years have been on me and my family, especially my children, and brings the waves of and to me. That is the one thing that I find hard to easily shake off. I would rather just be called a fat, lazy, so and so than to be told that I am lucky to be able to sit. I guess that you can say that is my Achilles Heel added on to my PF and Tarsal Tunnel

Well, this got long. So sorry. Go and enjoy your trip. Life is way to short to live it in pain. Get the ECV. Ignore anyone around you that wants to be negative and live the life that you deserve--- the happy one!

 

[LoriABil]

I have a question for you all. Do any of you have pain in the TOPS of your feet, like on the part between the front of your ankle and your toes. If I am on my feet to long, this part of my foot hurts as well. It feels like it is the tendons in the top of my foot that hurt.

Just curious if this is related to PF or something totally different.

this sounds like something different. You might try arch supports.

 

[LoriABil]

Sorry, one more Suggestion, for those of you for whom stretching is helpful: there is a little blue rocker board called the Prostretch which is great for stretching - and safer than the "foot off the step" thing I hate! You can buy one for a single foot or both feet. Around $36 for the double, but like I told DH, a good deal when you consider that PT is $20 copay per visit.

The main thing us get with hour physician and see what works for you- but I would avoid too many cortisone shots. Those littles tissues get brittle from all those steroids and suddenly you have a tear!

JMHO

 

[Grace&Carolinesmom]

Great topic. I just had a horrible PF flare-up a month before our WDW trip a few weeks ago. Worse than before because my heels and sides of my anckles were in so much pain. I went to the podiatrist and he told me(also the stretching, orthotics, etc.) to get running shoes with good support and above all, make sure it feels good to your foot. This is hard for me as I have wide feet and a higher instep?. My favorite shoe for the parks and at home is my Teva athletic sandals. If I could wear these everyday, I think my problems would be solved. But given the hippy casual look of this shoe, it doesn't fly with dress pants and skirts for my profession. Teva athletic sandals are so comfy because of the adjustable strapping and superthick, molded soles. Tennis shoes make my feet ache but these sandals are fab....ugly but comfy. The key is to buy the more expensive version with the fully lined interior and cut out the inside tag. Neoprene is a god-send to avoid blisters--as well as a little body glide. believe it or not, I have been wearing the same pair of Teva sandals for 4+ years and they still hold up because of the thick molded bottoms.

My feet still hurt some at WDW but more from fatigue. The worst foot pain was standing in one spot waiting for rides. I did buy a few shape-up sandals for eating out a restaurants and those are pretty good. Now I am back home and pf is still flaring up b/c of wearing heels and standing alot for my job. Argh!